A couple who were among the first people to move into the South Reading development helped cut the ribbon to formally open the new on-site marketing suite.

Skylark House, with guide prices from £175,000 for one-bedroom apartments and £230,000 for a two-bedroom apartment, go on sale this weekend.

Deana Everingham, head of sales and marketing at Berkeley Homes (Western), said: “We’re expecting demand for the new homes at Kennet Island to be high.

“The fresh architectural style is complemented by the quality and specification levels that you would expect from the Berkeley brand but at a fraction of the price of a similar style property in the capital.”

She added: “Kennet Island is hugely popular with local buyers and students from the University of Reading.

“It’s also perfectly placed for London commuters due to its fantastic transport links and investors for the high rental yields, which average at around six per cent. We’re thrilled to be celebrating our eighth birthday and marking it with the launch of this exciting new phase.”

Chris Sly, Liz Pickston-Bartlett and Tanya Williams look at a model of the development

The company says there is a wide variety of layouts for the apartments which are spread over seven floors with many having balconies, waterside views and covered parking.

Amy and Barry Perchard were one of the first residents to buy a property at Kennet Island on launch day in 2006. They left their own engagement party the night before and slept in the car outside the sales office to make sure they would be one of the first in line.

After seven years of living on Kennet Island and now with 22-month-old son Charlie, they helped Berkeley Homes managing director Richard Palmer open the marketing suite for the new apartments.

Mrs Perchard said: “We used to go and watch Reading play football and so saw the site being cleared ready for the new homes to be built.

“Buying off plan was quite scary but we loved the long-term vision for the development with the central piazza at the heart of the development, with plans for shops, a gym and cafe, so decided to take a leap of faith and reserve a plot on launch day.

“The last eight years have been brilliant – we have loved living here.

“It is very quiet and the whole island is kept so clean and tidy and always looks so nice with the flowers and plants.

“There is a lovely community spirit and has been a lovely setting for Charlie to grow up in.”

Visit www.berkeleygroup.co.uk/new-homes/berkshire/reading/kennet-island for more information about Skylark House.